Suzuki Carry 1st 2nd 3rd generation
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| Manufacturer | Suzuki |
|---|---|
| Also called | Bedford Rascal Holden Scurry Maruti Omni Maruti Versa Mazda Scrum Ford Pronto Suzuki Bravo |
| Production | 1961–Present |
| Class | Kei truck Microvan |
| Engine | Suzuki F6A I3 SOHC Suzuki F6A I3 turbo SOHC Suzuki K6A I3 SOHC |
The Suzuki Carry is a kei truck produced by the Japanese automaker Suzuki. The microvan version was originally called the Carry van until 1982 when the van was renamed as the Suzuki Every (Japanese: スズキ・エブリイ). In Japan, the Carry and Every are Kei cars but Suzuki Every Landy, the bigger exported version of Every, had a longer hood for safety purposes and a larger 1.3-liter 82 hp (61 kW) four-cylinder engine. They have been sold under a myriad different names in several countries, and holds the distinction of being the only car ever offered both with Chevrolet and Ford badges.
Introduction
In their home market, the Carry truck and Every van compete with a number of trucks of the same size, such as the Honda Acty, the Subaru Sambar truck and van, the Mitsubishi Minicab, Daihatsu Atrai and the Toyota Hiace.
The first two generations of Carrys were sold with the Suzulight badge rather than the company name Suzuki, emphasizing their focus on "Light Cars" (better known as Kei jidosha).
Suzulight FB/FBD 1961-1965
FBD Carry Van
The Carry series was born in October 1961 with the FB Suzulight Carry, a pickup truck with the engine underneath the front seat but with a short bonnet. The layout has been referred to as a "semi-cabover". A glassed FBD Carry Van was added in September 1964. The engine too was called the "FB", a 359 cc (21.9 cu in) air-cooled, two-stroke two-cylinder with 21 hp (16 kW). This engine was to remain in use, in three-cylinder form, until late 1987 in the Suzuki Jimny (as the LJ50). Top speed was no more than 76 km/h (47 mph). FB suspension was rigid with leaf springs, front and rear A panel van (FBC) was also available from July 1962.
FB Carry Van
Second generation (L20) 1965-1969
In June 1965 the rebodied L20 Suzulight Carry replaced the FB. The ladder-frame chassis was modified, now with independently sprung front wheels (by torsion bars). While output remained 21 hp, the engine benefitted from Suzuki's patented CCI (Cylinder Crank Injection) lubrication system. The Carry Van was replaced by the new L20V in January 1966and there was also a dropside pickup (L21). Finally, there was the L20H, a pickup with a canvas canopy and a rear-facing seat placed in the bed, providing seating for four. Top speed for the second generation was down to 75 km/h.The Carry Van had a horizontally divided two-piece tailgate, and sliding rear windows.
Production of this more traditional version continued in parallel with the cab-over L30 Carry, ending only with the 1969 introduction of the L40.
Third generation (L30) 1966-1969
The new L30 Suzuki Carry (the "Suzulight" label was being retired) was a full cab-over design, with the same FB engine mounted horizontally underneath the load area. The starter and generator were combined and mounted directly on the front of the crankshaft. Introduced in February 1966, the L30 was built alongside its more traditional predecessor until they were both replaced by the L40. A canopied L30H, similar to the L20H but with the seats in the bed facing each other, was available right from the start. There was also an L31, with a drop-side bed. Performance and mechanics were very similar to its bonneted sister, but the load area was considerably larger. Maximum load capacity was still 350 kg (770 lb).
A short lived Carry Van version of the L30 (L30V) wasn't introduced until March 1968, but offered four doors and a two-piece tailgate (top and bottom). Bodywork was the same ahead of the B-pillar.
